Mining-machine



(No Model.)l 2 Sheets-#Sheet 1.

A. KBIL s; A. 11..WEST11RDAHL. MINING MACHINE.

110.501,209. Patente sJuly 11, 1893.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. KBIL se A. R. WBSTERDAHL. MINING MACHINE. No. 501,209. e Patented Ju\1y 11, 1893.

w. r. l Q l I Se ' STATES PATENT OFFrCE.

ADAM KEIL, OF MCKEESPORT, AND ANTON R. VESTERDAHL, OF PITTSBURG, ASSIGNORS TO SAMUEL S. BROIVN, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

MINING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 501,209, dated July 11, 1893.

Application filed January 6, 1892.

To all whom it may con/cern.-

Be it known that we, ADAM KEIL, a resident of McKeesport, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, and ANTON R. WES- TERDAHL, a resident of Pittsburg, county and State aforesaid, have invented a new and usefullmprovement in Mining-Machines; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

Our invention relates to mining machines, and has reference more particularly to certain improvements in the form of machine set forth in an application for Letters Patent filed by us August 4, 1891, Serial No. 401,694, in which the base of the kerf may be formed close to the surface of the ground.

The special obj ects of the present invention are to provide an improved form of mechanism for feeding and retracting the machine; a means for elevating the machine on suitable casters, when not in operation, for convenience of transportation from one part of the mine to another; an improved device for tightening the cutter chain, as well as devices for retaining the machine rigidly in position during the cutting operation to prevent jolting and backing of the machine.

To these ends our invention comprises certain improvements and combinations of parts as will be fully hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Figure l is a plan view of our improved machine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 2-2, Fig. l. Fig. 8 is a cross section on line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of one of the casters. Fig. 5 is a side view of a portion of the front end of the frame showing the devices for bracing the machine against lateral movement. Fig. 6 is a view of the chain tightening device. Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the caster. Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8, Fig. 2.

Like letters indicate like parts.

As the main body of the machine is similar in construction to that illustrated and described in our former application hereinbefore mentioned, it will only he necessary to refer to such construction generally.

The main frame A is composed of the side angle beams a connected at their ends by the Serial No, 417,146. (No model.)

cross beams b, b', while below said cross beams at each end of the machine are the supporting shoes or feet. 'lo form the depending feet at the rear end of the machine, the plate d is secured to the horizontal flange b2 of the rear cross beam b in the center thereof, and then extends down at the ends to form feet upon which the machine rests, as fully shown in the above -mentioned application. Practi cally the same construction is employed at the forward end of the machine, except that the depending frame E on which the frame is supported is placed centrally in the front of the frame,so as not to interfere with the movement of the cutter chain. The frame E has the shoe e which is connected to the main body of the frame E bythe blocks e2, the edges of which form the inner edges of the guideways for the plates or bars f of the sliding frame F. At the outer end of the shoe e are lugs e4 which act as the outer guides for said plates f. p

The sliding frame F comprises the carriage the bars f extending forward therefrom, and the sprocket or front cross frame f2, around which the chain passes in forming the cut, being guided on sprockets f3 at the ends thereof. The carriage f is supported t on flanged wheels or rollers g which travel on the horizontal plates or flanges a of the side beams of the frame A. The ends of the plates fenter seats formed for them in the carriage, so that the rear ends of the plates f are directly supported by the carriage which runs on the track formed by the side beams of the main frame. A t or near the center of the carriage f is the boss h in which is mounted the vertical shaft h carrying at the lower end thereof the sprocket wheel h2 which depends below the frame A close to the floor, and which imparts the necessary motion to the cutter chain t'. The cutter chain 'i travels around the sprockets f5 in the front cross frame f2 and around the guide wheels t2 depending from said carriage f.

The machine may be operated by an electric motor or other source of power which is connected in suitable way to the shaft h to drive the same.

In order to feed and retract the movable frame F, we employ a stationary screw bar Gr IOC which is secured by set screws g2 at its ends within suitable seats or sockets g on the cross beams b, b just at one side of the centerline of the machine. The nut I-I engages with the screw bar G. To provide for the rotation of the nut II to feed and retract the frame F, said nut has the feathers j formed thereon with which the clutch j engages, said clutch engaging with said feathers by means of the groove 7'2 formed therein, whereby said clutch may be moved to and fro on said nut. A gear Wheel Zt provided with the hollow journal k is journaled in the bearings 7.52 on the frame F. The hollow journal Zr is formed with the clutch face k3 thereon with which one end of the clutch j is adapted to engage. A second gear wheel Z provided with a hollow journal Z is journaled in the bearings Z2 on the frame F. 'lhe journal Z' is likewise provided with the clutch face Z3. The screw bar Gr passes through the hollow journals 7c', Zwithout coming in contact with the interior faces thereof.

In order to drive the gear wheels 7c and Zin opposite directions to provide for the feeding and retracting of the machine, we employ the following mechanism: A bevel pinion m on the vertical shaft 71. meshes with a bevel pinion m. on the horizontal shaft 'm2 journaled in suitable bearings in the frame. wheel n on the shaft m2 meshes with the gear wheel Zt aforesaid. On the outer end of the shaft m2 is a pinion o which meshes with a gear wheel 0 on` a horizontal shaft 1J journaled in suitable bearings p. A small pinion p2 on the outer end of the shaft p meshes with the gear wheel Z. gear wheels 7c and Z have an opposite rotary movement imparted to them, so that by throwing the clutch j alternately in engagement with the clutch faces k3 and Z3 the machine is caused to advance or recede. The clutch j is arranged to be operated by the rocking shaft q supported in suitable bearings in the frame. The clutchj is connected to the rocking shaft q by means of the rod q', said rod q being pivoted to the clutch lever g3 at Q4, and said clutch lever engaging with the yoke q2 and pivoted again at (15 on the carriage. The said yoke q2 engages with the annular groove ja :in said clutch. The rocking shaft q is operated by the hand lever o'.

To provide for the tightening of the cutter chain t' to take up any slack which said chain may have acquired iu use, ratchet facess are formed on the plates f of the frame F adja# cent to the rocking shaft q with which the pawls s engage. The pawls s are loosely mounted on pins s2 passing through the bifurcated ends of the arms s3. The arms s? are secured to the sleeve s4 which surrounds the rocking shaft q, said sleeve being adapted to move on said rocking shaft independently of any movement on the part of said rocking shaft, and vice versa. To turn the sleeve si1 in order to operate the pawls s', alever S5 engages with said sleeve and by raising or low In this manner the ering said lever the said sleeve is turned. A drop* latch t isadapted of its own weight to drop into the several teeth of the ratchet faces s as they are brought directly under said drop latch. The drop latch tits within the socket t and is formed with the head t2 which rests on the top of said socket. The lower end of the drop latcht is formed with the inclined face t3 so as to coincide with the teeth of the ratchet face s, while at the same time as the ratchet face s is forced forward the inclined face t3 permits of the raising of the drop latch to allow it to engage with the next succeeding tooth.

The casters U support the entire machine and are arranged at suitable points, three such casters being shown in i the present instance, one on each side and one at the forwardy end. The casters U consist of thebrackets u formed with the inwardly projecting ledge u and the shoulder u2 between which the side beams a -of the machine fit when the brackets fu, are

bolted to said side beams. The brackets u arel .the sections @1,4 being bolted to said brackets I to form the complete bearings after the other parts composing said casters have been adl justed as will more fully appear. A gear l Fitting within the lower bearing v is the `.hollow stud or journal w provided with the cam face w at the upper end thereof which y rests upon the bearin g o.

To prevent the rotation of the hollow stud tu within said bearl c, said bearing is furnished on its interior with thekey U2 which lits in the groove 'v3 in said l hollow stud w. cam facewis castintegralwith the hollowstud A cam face similar to the or journal which is provided with the head The cam face a: is adapted to rest in coutact with the cam face w', while the `head @c2 5 rests upon the bearings 'D'. las is permitted to turn within the bearing c',

The hollow stud 1 and for this purpose the head :n2 can be furthence up through the stud hold said spindle in place and to prevent its dropping out when the machineis raised, said spindle is formed with the annular groove m6 with which a setscrew x7 passing through the hollow stud tu engages. vFrom the above construction, it is apparent that with the cam j nished with one bar for turning said head. A ,I spindle :r4 carrying at its lower end a roller :L5 g journaled within the bifurcated end thereof,

passes up through the hollow stud tu and In order to faces w and in the positions shown in Fig. 4, the machine will be in its raised position. If the head .x2 be turned to bring the cam face a: into the position, as shown in Fig. 7, with relation to the cam face w', the bearing c will be lowered, the key c2 thereof `sliding down the groove t8 of the hollow stud w until said bearing rests upon the shoulders formed by the bifurcated endsof the spindle m4. In this manner the bracket u is lowered and with it the entire machine.

The forward end of the `machine is pro- ICO vided with the sockets y preferably secured to the side beams ct of the frame. Within said sockets y fit the threaded bars y', said threaded bars having pivoted to their forward ends the clutches y2. A hand wheel ya engages with the threaded bars y', whereby when the machine is in position to cut, and the clutches yzhave been brought into contact with the wall of coal, by turning the hand wheels ys the said clutches may be farther driven into the coal to retain the machine in place.

To further brace the machine against undue jolting and shifting during the cutting operation,selfadjusting brace rodsz are employed. These brace rods a are preferably of the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5, being composed of the vertical portion z and the .inclined portion z2. The upper ends of said brace rods z are pivoted at e3 to the bolt Z4 fitting in the socket z5 on the side beams a, and said bolt is held in said socket by the nut Z6 engaging with the lower end'thereof. This construction permits not only of the swinging up and down of the brace rods .e on the pivotal point z3, but also of the lateral swinging of said rods through the'. bolts e4 free to turn in the socket z5. These brace rods e' may be placed at different points as may be found necessary. The upper end of the rod is provided with the lug e? which is adapted to enter the seat Z7 in the socket z5 when said rod is swung around close to the sides of the machine whereby said rods are locked against swinging during transportation.

The operation of our improved machine is as follows: In bringingy the machine to the place where the cut is to be made, the machine is elevated, that is, the several parts of the casters are in the position shown in Fig. 4, so that the machine is a sufficient distance from the ground or floor of the mine to readily clear any ordinary obstructions, and enables it to be easily-moved from one point to another by means of the rollers m5. When the machine has been brought to the proper position with'reference to the body of coal to be out, the headsa",2 of said casters are turned to bring the cam faces to the position with relation to the cam face tu', as shown in Fig. 7. This will act to lower the machine and bring the cutter chain close to the floor of the mine. The jack I, at the rear end of the machine, is adjusted with its lower end engaging with the floor of the mine and its upper end with the roof thereof. The claws y2 on the threaded bars y! are then forced into contact with the body of coal, while the brace rods ,e adjust themselves at different angles according to the nature of the floor of the mine, the sharp ends of said rods entering the floor and so acting to brace the machine against lateral movement. Power is then applied to rotate the vertical shaft h which, through the connections described, will act to drive the cutter chain i. The clutch j will be in engage ment with the clutch face los, whereby upon 'face s.

the revolution of the gear wheel 7c through its connections with the vertical shaft h the nut H will be driven in the direction to feed forward thesliding frame F. The screw bar-Gr remains stationary while the nut H advances along said screw bar. When the cut has been made of the desired depth, and it is desired to retract the machine, the operator by throwing back the lever r throws the clutch j out of engagement with the clutch face k3 and into engagement with the clutch face Z3. This movement will act to reverse the direction of rotation of the nut H and consequently result in the retraction of the machine.

In case it is desired to take upany slackin the cutter chain i, the lever S5 is drawn back, whereby the pawls s engaging .with the ratchet faces s will drive forward the bars f ofthe sliding frame F. By this movementl the drop latch t is forced outof its socket t and enters the next succeeding tooth of the ratchet After the cut has been made and the frame F-has been withdrawn, the head :1:2 of each caster is turned to bring the cam faces into the position shown in Fig. 4, when the machine will be again raised and in position to be readily transported to another 'part of the mine.

The advantages possessed bythe machines which make a cut close to the Hoor of the mine have been set forth in our previous applications. The employment of the casters for raising the machine when not in use add great-ly to the convenience in the operation and transportation of the machine.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is y l. In a mining machine, the combination with the main frame having a stationary screw bar mounted thereon, of a sliding frame having a nut engaging with said screw bar, clutch boxes on each side of the nut, rotating aroundk the screw bar, and a clutch fitting around and having a sliding connection with the nut and engaging with saidclutch faces, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

2. In a mining machine, the combination of a main frame having a stationary screw bar mounted thereon, of a sliding frame having the nut engaging with said screw bar, sleeves on each side of the nut rotating around the screw bar, and connections from the nut to said sleeves, substantially asand for the purposes set forth.

3. In a mining machine, the combination with the mainframe havinga stationary screw bar mounted thereon, of a sliding frame having a nut engaging with said screw bar, a vertical shaft mounted in said sliding frame, the

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horizontal shaft m2 connected by bevel gearsaid clutch into engagement with said gear wheels 71: and Z, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4L. In a mining machine, the combination with the main frame, of a caster giving support to said frame, and a cam on said caster for raising and lowering said frame, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a mining machine, the combination with the main frame of a caster giving support to said frame, sleeves fitting around the caster spindle and also fitting in bearings on the main frame, said sleeves having opposed cam faces and one sleeve being mounted in its bearing so as to revolve but be held from longitudinal movement, and the other sleeve being mounted in its bearing so as to be kept from sliding but held from rotation.

6. The combination with the main frame A, of the caster U comprising the bracket u, the bearings c, t', the journal w with the cam face w', the feather o2 fitting in the groove 'U3 in said journal w, the cam face with the journal fr and head x2, and the spindle x4 androllers, substantially as and for the purposes set foi th.

7. In a mining machine, the combination of a main frame having horizontal sockets eX- tending longitudinally of said frame at the forward end thereof, threaded bars fitting with# in the sockets and their ends provided with two or more teeth adapted to engage the mine face and prevent the bars from turning and nuts engaging said threaded bars and bearing against the sockets and adapted to force the toothed ends of the bars into the body of coal, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In mining machines, the combination of a main frame having a vertical socket thereon, abarjournaled in the socket and a brace rod pivoted to said bar whereby said brace rod is free to swing vertically as Well as laterally, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. In a mining machine, the combination with the main frame having the vertical socket ;tending longitudinally forward therefrom, a `cutter chain supported by the carriage and plate, aratchet and pawl connection between g the carriage and plate, and mechanism operating the pawl to force forward the plate and regulate the tension of the cutter chain.

l1. In a mining machine, the combination of a main frame, a carriage having a sprocket wheel mounted therein, a plate extending longitudinally forward from the carriage, said plate having a ratchet face and carrying one or more sprockets at the forward end, a cutter chain supported by the carriage and plate, ia pawl on the carriage engaging said ratchet face, and mechanism for operating said pawl to force forward said plate to regulate the tension of the cutter chain, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

l2. 1n mining machines, the combination 3 of a main frame, a carriage having a vertical l sprocket wheelmounted therein,the plate fextending forward from the carriage and pro 1 vided with a ratchet face and carrying one or l more sprockets at the forward end, a cutter chain supported by the carriage and plate, vthe pawl s mounted on the carriage engaging with the said ratchet, the sleeve s4, and the lever 35, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof we, the said ADAM Knit. and ANTON R. WESTERDAHL, have hereunto set our hands.

ADAM KEIL. p AN'roN R. wirsTERDAI-IL.

IVitnesses:

J. N. COOKE, F. G. HAY. 

